From Winter Activities to Cold Weather Injuries: Your PT to the Rescue

by Expert Contributor Mark E. Reitz, PT, Penn Therapy Associates

Hopefully you survived your fall chores without any significant injury. The leaves are raked, gutters cleaned and outdoor furniture is all stored away, and you are still in one piece. Congratulations! Now you just have to get through winter’s challenges.

As the holidays approach, the calories and pounds tend to add up, which makes staying in shape even harder, just as snow shoveling season is approaching. Maybe you have a ski trip planned or are sharpening up your skates. Your Physical Therapist (PT) can help you prepare for all of those winter activities and help keep you in shape over the holidays and through the winter months.

Shoveling snow is responsible for more than just heart attacks. Thousands of back injuries occur or are aggravated every year due to snow removal done wrong. Your PT can teach you how to protect your back by doing specific exercises that build your core strength and improve the flexibility and strength of your hips and legs. PT’s are also the experts in teaching proper body mechanics to prevent injury. In fact, only one or two visits are often enough to teach you the proper exercises or techniques you need to know. And remember, in most cases you can see a PT for up to 30 days without a physician referral.

If skiing, skating or snowshoeing are more up your alley, heading out without properly preparing your body is a recipe for injury. Winter sports require very specific use of your leg and trunk muscles. Once again, it’s a PT you should seek to teach you the exercises and techniques you need to follow in order to enjoy your winter sport activities without injury. If you should unfortunately suffer an injury, however, physical therapy is your ticket to a speedy recovery. PTs treat everything from back strains to ACL tears and everything you can imagine in between. They are also an excellent triage source to refer you to the medical specialist you may need if you are not sure where to start after an injury.

Preventative medicine is much less expensive and less painful than post-injury treatment. So as winter approaches, give your PT a call and discuss your specific needs. If you don’t already see a PT on a regular basis, do some research to find the best local PT who fits your needs. No other medical specialist combines the amount of medical knowledge and exercise expertise as a PT does. Have a happy and healthy holiday and winter season!

Expert Contributor Mark E. Reitz, PT, Penn Therapy Associates

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